Startups Stories

MTC gifts $2.6M to 10 Missouri tech firms, including one from KC

The Missouri Technology Corporation is making the holidays extra special for 10 Show Me State startups. With an aim to grow the state’s tech and bioscience sectors, the MTC announced that it approved $2.6 million in co-investment awards to 10 firms, including $225,000 to Kansas City-based SquareOffs. Founded in 2012 by Jeff Rohr, SquareOffs created…

Kansas City Chief Dontari Poe challenges students, startups with new contest

Veteran Kansas City Chief Dontari Poe is hosting a competition that bridges young Kansas Citians and entrepreneurship. Set for Dec. 13 at Think Big Coworking, Poe Man’s Challenge will pair nine local startups with 30 Kansas City high school students and pitch the companies to a panel of celebrity judges, including Poe and his teammates….

Sprint parent company to invest $50B in U.S. startups

The billionaire behind Sprint’s parent company plans to unload some serious investment capital in American startups. After a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son announced that he plans to invest $50 billion in U.S. startups that will create tens of thousands of jobs in the next four years, according to the Associated…

Led by a ‘give first’ ethos, Techstars becomes a B-Corp

When your company mantra is “give first,” it’s bound have a philanthropic focus. And that ideology seems to have driven Techstars’ recent move to become a certified “B Corporation,” entailing the investment and accelerator group adhere to strict standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. A “B Corp” — or benefit corporation —…

Venture for America launches in KC to help startups find talent

A national fellowship program that helps recent graduates launch careers in entrepreneurship announced an expansion into Kansas City. With a mission to revitalize American cities, Venture for America partners with startups, business leaders and foundations to connect young talent with early-stage companies. In addition to the opportunity to work hands on with startups, The New…